Greek Hellenistic Terracotta Standing Maenad Figure

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Exceptional Antiquities | Asian | Ethnographi...

By Artemis Gallery

Jun 10, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-06-10 10:00:00 2021-06-10 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities | Asian | Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-7012
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• Lot Description
  Magna Graecia, Apulia, Canosan Hellenistic Period, ca. 3rd century BCE. A stunning mold-made terracotta statue of a female, perhaps a maenad, standing atop a circular plinth. Nearly nude, the elegant figure stands contrapposto, displaying a sensuous, hourglass physique and placing her right hand on her hip, while she leans on a baluster on her left side. A delicate veil cascades down her alluring figure, suspended at each of her wrists, as it gently balances atop her left thigh, just barely covering her sex. Slightly tilted left, her naturalistic visage bears soft features and exhibits a petite smile. An elaborate vegetal diadem, resembling an ivy wreath - a traditional adornment of maenads - crowns her head. Size: 3.25" in diameter x 8.625" H (8.3 cm x 21.9 cm)
  
  In ancient Greece, maenads were female followers of Dionysus (Roman Bacchus), the Greek god of wine, fertility, and ecstasy, and made up an important part of god's retinue, known as the thiasus. Translating to "raving ones," the maenads were often portrayed in a state of euphoric frenzy through a combination of dancing and intoxication. The dynamic pose of this example may also be read as a staggering stance, as though the figure is grabbing the baluster to regain her balance; a clear reference to the inebriated nature of the maenads.
  
  Canosa (Apulian: Canaus) was a major center of the ceramics and pottery trade when it was a Greek polis. Its artisans produced truly unique sculpture and pottery, completely different in decoration style from earlier and neighboring traditions. The clay is buff, with the decoration applied directly to it without the use of slip; here we see liberal amounts of pink and orange pigments remaining on this figure.
  
  This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
  
  Provenance: ex-Barakat Gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, acquired prior to 2000
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
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  #164619

  Condition

  Collection label on base of interior. Losses to headdress. Restoration to front of neck and proper left side of face, as well as 3 points and 2 dots on left side of headdress. Stable hairline pressure fissure on back of neck. Chip near proper left hand. Restoration to some areas on periphery of base and repair with some restoration on front half of base. Expected nicks and abrasions, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with liberal remains of pigments.
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